In MBT for families (MBT-F), psychoeducation leads to learning about mentalizing problems. Techniques that stabilize mentalizing in all family members are discussed. The stabilizing of individual and interactive mentalizing in the family is achieved through exploration of identified problems using the MBT Loop to bring the family members together so as to create a sense of collectively mentalizing the moment, while also holding on to the idea that each family member has a different perspective. The aim is to generate perspectives from all family members, and then to work on a shared perspective. Exercises are used to enhance this process, and these are illustrated using clinical examples.

Interactive mentalizing is a problem for couples who are struggling to relate to each other constructively. Mentalization-based treatment for couples (MBT-CO) is a structured intervention that targets the ability to see things from the other person’s perspective, and the recovery of epistemic trust. Initially couples are asked to identify their own problems in the relationship and then to try to consider their partner’s perspective. The clinician supports discussion between them from the different perspectives, and strengthens their capacity to see things from alternative viewpoints. The aim is to enhance interactive mentalizing in the relationship so that the partners are able to maintain a balance between closeness and the erotically charged “otherness” that generates sexual intimacy and pleasure.